Chapter 028: Truth be told, I'm a sister-con.
Chi Shen, upon seeing the ancient zombie, was slightly surprised but still greeted with a smile: "Good evening, sir."
He was no more than three meters away from the ancient zombie. The pungent stench nearly reached his face. However, Chi Shen believed in respecting those who weren't in good health, so he showed no sign of disgust and greeted the zombie courteously.
In a blink, the zombie sprang right in front of Chi Shen. Its speed was so astonishing that it stunned the onlookers. Seeing the zombie's hand almost reaching Chi Shen's face, the faint-hearted among them even covered their eyes, making no move to assist him - after all, they weren't close to Chi Shen.
Bai Ran couldn't help but laugh, even forgetting to hold his breath. Initially, he was resentful at seeing Chi Shen alive, but now, watching Chi Shen willingly step into the clutches of the zombie, he felt his future plots might no longer be necessary.
Bai Hengqing felt a twinge of regret. He had initially hoped to bring Chi Shen back to continue the Zhang family bloodline. He hadn't expected him to barge in like this, seemingly about to meet his fate.
He wouldn't lift a finger to save Chi Shen. It wasn't worth it. To him, Bai Ximing was still young and could extend the Bai family lineage. With or without Chi Shen, it didn't make much difference.
The ancient zombie was less than half a meter from Chi Shen. Chi Shen didn't dodge, merely gazing at it with a calm, courteous smile.
Just as the others began to mourn and even shielded their eyes, the zombie seemed to finally recognize whom it faced. It abruptly leaped back, then rapidly bounded even further, its movements so swift it seemed to leave afterimages.
Bai Ran was frozen in place, his smirk halted mid-air, his eyes brimming with resentment. Why wouldn't this man die? Was the legendary indomitable zombie of this mansion just as useless?!
The others heaved a sigh of relief. Even though they were unsure of what had transpired, at least they could breathe freely now. Taking deep breaths, their expressions revealed the relief of a narrow escape — they'd almost suffocated from holding their breath.
"I've seen a lot in my time, but I've never witnessed a scene like this."
A younger individual with glasses quickly jotted down the situation in a notebook.
In their records, zombies were known to be somewhat dim-witted and incapable of thought, making them ideal minions. Yet their sheer strength and agility were considerable. The challenge lay in their visibility to ordinary humans, making them hard to conceal. In modern society, using zombies had become less practical, explaining their decreasing numbers.
Given their lack of cognitive abilities, a free-willed zombie that not only doesn't harm humans but actively flees from them was a first for them, warranting documentation.
"So, they don't eat people after all," a youngster, having finally caught his breath, curiously approached the zombie, "I thought it was fearsome, but it's a coward at first sight of humans."
The old zombie retreated swiftly, but its path took it close to the group. Seizing the opportunity, one of the youngsters reached out, attempting to snatch the hat off the zombie's head.
"Stop!" Bai Hengqing, still trying to process the events, knew well the power of this particular zombie. He had assumed Chi Shen was a goner. To see the zombie flee, ignoring the living around it as if terrified of something, was unexpected.
Such a powerful creature shouldn't be provoked, even in retreat. Recognizing the imminent danger, Bai Hengqing hastily shouted a warning.
But it was too late; the youngster had already laid his hand on the zombie's hat.
The retreating zombie turned, fixing its withered, decayed face on the young man.
The youngster's hand froze in place. Wasn't this the same zombie that ignored even Chi Shen, a seemingly powerless individual? Why did it notice him?
However, it was merely a zombie he faced. Swiftly, he reached into his bag with his other hand and retrieved a command talisman. Given the extreme danger they faced tonight, their junior protectors had prepared numerous talismans, even lining their jackets with them for emergencies.
Suddenly, he heard a brief laughter. But at that moment, he had no time to identify its source, quickly affixing the talisman with his hand.
The instant the talisman touched the zombie's forehead, its fangs elongated dramatically. The junior was taken aback, thinking, "This shouldn't be happening; shouldn’t it be immobilized? Why is it becoming more powerful?"
The elderly zombie's stiff hand made creaking noises, joints popping. It abruptly raised its hand, ripping the talisman off its forehead and, with its other hand, grabbed the junior, preparing to bite.
Just as Bai Hengqing raised his hand, the zombie lunged, biting down, and the courtyard echoed with the junior's terrified scream.
"Quickly, pry his hand off!" shouted the junior with glasses.
Several of them rushed over, attempting to force the zombie's hand open. However, its strength was shockingly immense. None could budge it. Instead, with a ghastly scream, the zombie bit a chunk of flesh off the initial junior's shoulder, sending several flying with a violent shudder.
"How can a zombie be this strong?" The juniors were astounded. The zombies they had encountered before were easily subdued.
"Useless bunch!" Bai Hengqing stepped forward assertively, approaching the altar. He then grabbed a handful of glutinous rice and tossed it towards the creature.
The pristine rice cascaded down, landing on the old zombie, scalding it momentarily. It released its grip, its mouth filled with the torn flesh. With a ferocious glare, it charged at Bai Hengqing, who deftly raised a plate to block the imminent bite.
"Make rooster calls! Rooster calls!" the bespectacled junior shouted. "It'll think dawn has arrived and retreat!"
Immediately, another junior tried to mimic: "Cluck cluck? Cluck, cluck cluck?"
The bespectacled junior was almost exasperated, "Rooster! A rooster's crow!"
Chaos ensued in the courtyard. Chi Shen, intrigued, stepped forward, "Quite the spectacle, isn't it?"
At that single step, the zombie halted, swiftly releasing Bai Hengqing and retreating.
Bai Hengqing, holding the shattered plate, stood still, not daring to give chase.
Bai Ran, armed with a lightning talisman, observed coldly from the side. He neither intervened nor fled. If questioned later, he could simply state that Bai Hengqing was too close to the zombie, making it risky for him to act.
No one paid attention to Chi Shen. The wounds on the juniors bitten by the zombie rapidly darkened, signs of the necrotic poison's intrusion. At that moment, Bai Ran handed over a bag of glutinous rice, which Bai Hengqing pressed onto the wounds, aiming to halt the poison's spread.
"There's water inside the room," Chi Shen pointed out.
The treatment for a zombie bite involves using glutinous rice to extract the poison swiftly. Ideally, soaking in a bath of rice soup facilitates even better control of the toxin.
Several people immediately supported the bitten juniors, intending to find water.
While they tended to their wounds on this side, Chi Shen caught sight of two shadowy figures by the side yard's entrance. Sensing something amiss, he headed straight in that direction.
"Chi Shen," Bai Ran handed the bag of glutinous rice to another person and called out to halt Chi Shen. The resentment on his face vanished, replaced by his usual pure white smile, "I'm glad you're still alive."
Chi Shen glanced at Bai Ran.
Oddly enough, despite being lured into this courtyard by Bai Ran in the first place, Chi Shen harbored no feelings of resentment towards him. Even looking at that insincere smile, he didn't feel repulsed, and certainly, there was no affection.
He simply felt nothing.
So, Chi Shen too smiled. Yet, compared to Bai Ran's smile, Chi Shen's grin, so radiant, appeared somewhat eerie. "Long time no see, um... younger brother?"
Having said that, he walked past Bai Ran, continuing towards the side yard. The old Bai mansion was vast, and there were several more steps to the side yard.
Bai Ran and he were born on the same day, almost the same hour. Chi Shen wasn’t sure who was older, but his biological mother, Xu Xiu Yun, had asked him to play the role of the elder brother so he could take care of his younger sibling.
That was after Chi Shen was told he had no talent and didn't belong to the Bai family.
Although Bai Xi Ming had no feelings for Chi Shen, Xu Xiu Yun wished to meet her biological son. When they met, they didn't talk about Chi Shen's life over the years but rather about Bai Ran.
Xu Xiu Yun always brought up Bai Ran in her conversations, asking Chi Shen not to resent him. She emphasized Bai Ran hadn’t intentionally taken his place and that Bai Ran was a good child who would surely feel guilty. She urged Chi Shen not to make things difficult for him. She also mentioned the Bai family being a significant clan, and being a woman, she couldn’t decide everything. She couldn't allow Chi Shen to return to the Bai household, and she expressed her sorrow. Yet, in the end, she always added how much guiltier Bai Ran would feel, so she hoped Chi Shen wouldn't mention any of these things to him.
In the end, Xu Xiu Yun painted a dream for Chi Shen, saying she would try to convince Bai Xi Ming to let him return home. If Chi Shen could come back, he should become Bai Ran's elder brother, as elder siblings bear responsibilities and care for their younger ones.
At that time, Chi Shen, touched by Xu Xiu Yun's gentle words, had never felt familial love. The affection Xu Xiu Yun had for Bai Ran was something he greatly envied. He once naively hoped that if he could return to the Bai family, he'd also have such a tender mother.
But now, Chi Shen no longer held onto those thoughts.
His heart, once yearning for familial love, died the moment he entered the world of the death game.
That's why he could now laughingly call Bai Ran "younger brother".
Bai Ran was left awkwardly speechless. He had been prepared for Chi Shen's accusations, ready to claim that he brought Chi Shen here only because he had begged him, offering him a chance to return to the Bai family.
He even rehearsed how he’d shift the blame onto Chi Shen, making himself look magnanimous in front of Bai Heng Qing.
But Chi Shen's jovial demeanor in calling him "younger brother" rendered all his preparations moot. Would he have to pretend to be the harmonious elder sibling now?
"How have you been settling in?" Bai Ran's smile faltered, and he forced a laugh as he asked, then, eyeing the direction Chi Shen was headed, added with genuine concern, "It's dangerous over there. Don't wander around."
As soon as he said this, Bai Ran remembered the words relayed by Lu Xiang Yang. Initially, he thought Chi Shen was just trying to show off or was unaware of the mansion's dreadful nature. But now, seeing Chi Shen's composed demeanor, neat appearance, and even seemingly mindful outfit choice, he seemed to walk casually in this ominous mansion, as if he were right at home.
Apart from looking somewhat fatigued, everything else about him seemed normal, fitting Lu Xiangyang's description of him appearing content.
Bai Ran's expression grew increasingly grim, yet he still strained to smile. This smile was torturous, reminiscent of a soul in turmoil.
"It's been good. I've made quite a few friends," Chi Shen replied absently. He didn't glance at Bai Ran. Within a few exchanges, he had already approached the entrance of the annex. The two shadowy figures hovering above the ancestral tablets turned their gaze towards him, causing Chi Shen to furrow his brows.
Bai Ran discreetly sought Bai Hengqing's reaction. Noticing Bai Hengqing's indifferent attitude towards Chi Shen's wanderings and the admiration in his eyes, he grew anxious. Seeing Chi Shen heading towards the annex's altar, he hurriedly inquired, "Why doesn't that old zombie bite you? What did you do in the old house?"
"Maybe it's because I'm quite polite," Chi Shen casually replied, turning his attention to the interior of the annex.
Bai Ran was left speechless.
Could that really be the reason?
If he were to compliment a ghost, would he be spared from its wrath?
Bai Hengqing, however, burst out laughing, "Young man, you're quite interesting. I'm your second granduncle. I'd like to know how you managed to survive in this haunted house. Speak clearly today. If you don't, and if anything happens in the Bai household, you'll bear responsibility."
Chi Shen, however, disregarded Bai Hengqing. He paused, his gaze settling on a red bridal veil gently swaying with the breeze, covered with a layer of fallen dry leaves.
Concerned, Bai Ran stepped in front of Chi Shen, blocking his view of the altar. "Brother, you're not familiar with the Bai family's current affairs. You mistakenly made a call that gave that ghost an opportunity. My second granduncle and I were gravely injured trying to suppress it. You mustn't touch anything on this altar."
Bai Hengqing chuckled, "With your help, if Chi Shen were to return to the Bai family..."
Bai Hengqing's sentence remained unfinished.
With a gentle motion, Chi Shen brushed Bai Ran aside. Immediately, his hand rested on the blood-streaked tablecloth. The next instant, to the horror of the two onlookers, he upturned the altar displaying the tablets of Bai Chongshan and Shen Huiling.
Amidst the crashing sounds, Chi Shen looked at the shocked pair and inquired, "Did you do this?"
"What have you done!" Bai Hengqing's benevolent smile vanished, replaced by anger. He dashed forward to retrieve the tablets.
Bai Ran was momentarily stunned. He hadn't anticipated Chi Shen's immense strength. It seemed as if he'd barely been touched and yet was thrown aside with such force.
No, he hadn't felt Chi Shen's touch at all. It was as if he had been propelled away on his own accord.
"I'll ask once more," Chi Shen stood at the entrance of the annex, the swaying red veil behind him illuminated by a row of red candles. His voice and gaze were both calm, yet they sent chills down one's spine. "Who imprisoned my sister here?"
Bai Hengqing paid him no mind. With trembling hands, he cradled the two tablets, trying to squeeze out a few more drops of his own blood onto them. He muttered a plea, "Forgive this offense, ancestors. It wasn't deliberate. We beg for your mercy and continued suppression of the Bai family's sinner, Bai Wan. Forgive us, ancestors..."
Bai Ran, sprawled on the ground, sharply latched onto the key point, murmuring, "Sister? Who's the sister?"
Chi Shen had already entered the side courtyard, bending down to pick up the red bridal veil from the ground.
Ghostly red candles illuminated a path within the courtyard. Charms fluttered down as a delicate and youthful-looking girl pushed open the door. She wore a golden phoenix crown and a gold-embroidered wedding dress, which was stained with copious amounts of blood. The eerie glow of the candles held no warmth, only an unsettling coldness.
Standing amidst the red candles, Chi Shen offered the girl a gentle smile.
The girl approached gracefully, her expression hinting at a touch of grievance. Chi Shen shook out the red veil, draping it over the girl's phoenix crown.
Bai Ran watched, utterly stunned. He couldn't comprehend what was unfolding before him, unsure of what to say or how to react. He even forgot to rise from the ground.
"Forgive us, honored ancestors, we meant no disrespect..." Bai Hengqing continued his chant. Only after squeezing a few more drops of blood onto the ancestral tablets did he cautiously lift his gaze to the faint, yet still present, spectral figures in midair, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
"Thankfully, they're intact," Bai Hengqing said, holding the tablets and gently wiping off the dust with his sleeve. He then loudly berated Chi Shen, "Do you realize what you've done? Are you aware of the terrifying power of the ghost in this old mansion? Luckily, these tablets are undamaged. Had they been broken, you would have met your end today—"
"Uncle," Bai Ran interrupted, glancing at Bai Hengqing's reaction and forcing down his own mounting dread. "Look inside."
Just as Bai Hengqing lifted his head, Chi Shen's gaze met his. Seeing Chi Shen standing alongside Bai Wan, Bai Hengqing froze in place.
"Do you know why the tablets didn't shatter?" Chi Shen, guiding Bai Wan as if he were a brother leading his sister to her wedding, smiled at the pair and their ancestral tablets, "Because I wanted them to stay."
The red candles paved a path right up to Bai Hengqing.
The chilling luminescence of the candles felt like it would freeze Bai Hengqing's very blood. He wanted to flee, but suddenly, more red candles lit up behind him, blocking his escape.
He felt his body grow cold and stiff amidst the candlelight, about to transform into an icy statue, with only the warmth of the tablets he clutched offering any solace.
"Someone is seeking them."
Chi Shen gently released Bai Wan's hand.
"There's a debt from the past, and they need to repay it."
*
Author's note:
There's a double release today!
Chapter 028: Truth be told, I'm a sister-con.
Chi Shen, upon seeing the ancient zombie, was slightly surprised but still greeted with a smile: "Good evening, sir."
He was no more than three meters away from the ancient zombie. The pungent stench nearly reached his face. However, Chi Shen believed in respecting those who weren't in good health, so he showed no sign of disgust and greeted the zombie courteously.
In a blink, the zombie sprang right in front of Chi Shen. Its speed was so astonishing that it stunned the onlookers. Seeing the zombie's hand almost reaching Chi Shen's face, the faint-hearted among them even covered their eyes, making no move to assist him - after all, they weren't close to Chi Shen.
Bai Ran couldn't help but laugh, even forgetting to hold his breath. Initially, he was resentful at seeing Chi Shen alive, but now, watching Chi Shen willingly step into the clutches of the zombie, he felt his future plots might no longer be necessary.
Bai Hengqing felt a twinge of regret. He had initially hoped to bring Chi Shen back to continue the Zhang family bloodline. He hadn't expected him to barge in like this, seemingly about to meet his fate.
He wouldn't lift a finger to save Chi Shen. It wasn't worth it. To him, Bai Ximing was still young and could extend the Bai family lineage. With or without Chi Shen, it didn't make much difference.
The ancient zombie was less than half a meter from Chi Shen. Chi Shen didn't dodge, merely gazing at it with a calm, courteous smile.
Just as the others began to mourn and even shielded their eyes, the zombie seemed to finally recognize whom it faced. It abruptly leaped back, then rapidly bounded even further, its movements so swift it seemed to leave afterimages.
Bai Ran was frozen in place, his smirk halted mid-air, his eyes brimming with resentment. Why wouldn't this man die? Was the legendary indomitable zombie of this mansion just as useless?!
The others heaved a sigh of relief. Even though they were unsure of what had transpired, at least they could breathe freely now. Taking deep breaths, their expressions revealed the relief of a narrow escape — they'd almost suffocated from holding their breath.
"I've seen a lot in my time, but I've never witnessed a scene like this."
A younger individual with glasses quickly jotted down the situation in a notebook.
In their records, zombies were known to be somewhat dim-witted and incapable of thought, making them ideal minions. Yet their sheer strength and agility were considerable. The challenge lay in their visibility to ordinary humans, making them hard to conceal. In modern society, using zombies had become less practical, explaining their decreasing numbers.
Given their lack of cognitive abilities, a free-willed zombie that not only doesn't harm humans but actively flees from them was a first for them, warranting documentation.
"So, they don't eat people after all," a youngster, having finally caught his breath, curiously approached the zombie, "I thought it was fearsome, but it's a coward at first sight of humans."
The old zombie retreated swiftly, but its path took it close to the group. Seizing the opportunity, one of the youngsters reached out, attempting to snatch the hat off the zombie's head.
"Stop!" Bai Hengqing, still trying to process the events, knew well the power of this particular zombie. He had assumed Chi Shen was a goner. To see the zombie flee, ignoring the living around it as if terrified of something, was unexpected.
Such a powerful creature shouldn't be provoked, even in retreat. Recognizing the imminent danger, Bai Hengqing hastily shouted a warning.
But it was too late; the youngster had already laid his hand on the zombie's hat.
The retreating zombie turned, fixing its withered, decayed face on the young man.
The youngster's hand froze in place. Wasn't this the same zombie that ignored even Chi Shen, a seemingly powerless individual? Why did it notice him?
However, it was merely a zombie he faced. Swiftly, he reached into his bag with his other hand and retrieved a command talisman. Given the extreme danger they faced tonight, their junior protectors had prepared numerous talismans, even lining their jackets with them for emergencies.
Suddenly, he heard a brief laughter. But at that moment, he had no time to identify its source, quickly affixing the talisman with his hand.
The instant the talisman touched the zombie's forehead, its fangs elongated dramatically. The junior was taken aback, thinking, "This shouldn't be happening; shouldn’t it be immobilized? Why is it becoming more powerful?"
The elderly zombie's stiff hand made creaking noises, joints popping. It abruptly raised its hand, ripping the talisman off its forehead and, with its other hand, grabbed the junior, preparing to bite.
Just as Bai Hengqing raised his hand, the zombie lunged, biting down, and the courtyard echoed with the junior's terrified scream.
"Quickly, pry his hand off!" shouted the junior with glasses.
Several of them rushed over, attempting to force the zombie's hand open. However, its strength was shockingly immense. None could budge it. Instead, with a ghastly scream, the zombie bit a chunk of flesh off the initial junior's shoulder, sending several flying with a violent shudder.
"How can a zombie be this strong?" The juniors were astounded. The zombies they had encountered before were easily subdued.
"Useless bunch!" Bai Hengqing stepped forward assertively, approaching the altar. He then grabbed a handful of glutinous rice and tossed it towards the creature.
The pristine rice cascaded down, landing on the old zombie, scalding it momentarily. It released its grip, its mouth filled with the torn flesh. With a ferocious glare, it charged at Bai Hengqing, who deftly raised a plate to block the imminent bite.
"Make rooster calls! Rooster calls!" the bespectacled junior shouted. "It'll think dawn has arrived and retreat!"
Immediately, another junior tried to mimic: "Cluck cluck? Cluck, cluck cluck?"
The bespectacled junior was almost exasperated, "Rooster! A rooster's crow!"
Chaos ensued in the courtyard. Chi Shen, intrigued, stepped forward, "Quite the spectacle, isn't it?"
At that single step, the zombie halted, swiftly releasing Bai Hengqing and retreating.
Bai Hengqing, holding the shattered plate, stood still, not daring to give chase.
Bai Ran, armed with a lightning talisman, observed coldly from the side. He neither intervened nor fled. If questioned later, he could simply state that Bai Hengqing was too close to the zombie, making it risky for him to act.
No one paid attention to Chi Shen. The wounds on the juniors bitten by the zombie rapidly darkened, signs of the necrotic poison's intrusion. At that moment, Bai Ran handed over a bag of glutinous rice, which Bai Hengqing pressed onto the wounds, aiming to halt the poison's spread.
"There's water inside the room," Chi Shen pointed out.
The treatment for a zombie bite involves using glutinous rice to extract the poison swiftly. Ideally, soaking in a bath of rice soup facilitates even better control of the toxin.
Several people immediately supported the bitten juniors, intending to find water.
While they tended to their wounds on this side, Chi Shen caught sight of two shadowy figures by the side yard's entrance. Sensing something amiss, he headed straight in that direction.
"Chi Shen," Bai Ran handed the bag of glutinous rice to another person and called out to halt Chi Shen. The resentment on his face vanished, replaced by his usual pure white smile, "I'm glad you're still alive."
Chi Shen glanced at Bai Ran.
Oddly enough, despite being lured into this courtyard by Bai Ran in the first place, Chi Shen harbored no feelings of resentment towards him. Even looking at that insincere smile, he didn't feel repulsed, and certainly, there was no affection.
He simply felt nothing.
So, Chi Shen too smiled. Yet, compared to Bai Ran's smile, Chi Shen's grin, so radiant, appeared somewhat eerie. "Long time no see, um... younger brother?"
Having said that, he walked past Bai Ran, continuing towards the side yard. The old Bai mansion was vast, and there were several more steps to the side yard.
Bai Ran and he were born on the same day, almost the same hour. Chi Shen wasn’t sure who was older, but his biological mother, Xu Xiu Yun, had asked him to play the role of the elder brother so he could take care of his younger sibling.
That was after Chi Shen was told he had no talent and didn't belong to the Bai family.
Although Bai Xi Ming had no feelings for Chi Shen, Xu Xiu Yun wished to meet her biological son. When they met, they didn't talk about Chi Shen's life over the years but rather about Bai Ran.
Xu Xiu Yun always brought up Bai Ran in her conversations, asking Chi Shen not to resent him. She emphasized Bai Ran hadn’t intentionally taken his place and that Bai Ran was a good child who would surely feel guilty. She urged Chi Shen not to make things difficult for him. She also mentioned the Bai family being a significant clan, and being a woman, she couldn’t decide everything. She couldn't allow Chi Shen to return to the Bai household, and she expressed her sorrow. Yet, in the end, she always added how much guiltier Bai Ran would feel, so she hoped Chi Shen wouldn't mention any of these things to him.
In the end, Xu Xiu Yun painted a dream for Chi Shen, saying she would try to convince Bai Xi Ming to let him return home. If Chi Shen could come back, he should become Bai Ran's elder brother, as elder siblings bear responsibilities and care for their younger ones.
At that time, Chi Shen, touched by Xu Xiu Yun's gentle words, had never felt familial love. The affection Xu Xiu Yun had for Bai Ran was something he greatly envied. He once naively hoped that if he could return to the Bai family, he'd also have such a tender mother.
But now, Chi Shen no longer held onto those thoughts.
His heart, once yearning for familial love, died the moment he entered the world of the death game.
That's why he could now laughingly call Bai Ran "younger brother".
Bai Ran was left awkwardly speechless. He had been prepared for Chi Shen's accusations, ready to claim that he brought Chi Shen here only because he had begged him, offering him a chance to return to the Bai family.
He even rehearsed how he’d shift the blame onto Chi Shen, making himself look magnanimous in front of Bai Heng Qing.
But Chi Shen's jovial demeanor in calling him "younger brother" rendered all his preparations moot. Would he have to pretend to be the harmonious elder sibling now?
"How have you been settling in?" Bai Ran's smile faltered, and he forced a laugh as he asked, then, eyeing the direction Chi Shen was headed, added with genuine concern, "It's dangerous over there. Don't wander around."
As soon as he said this, Bai Ran remembered the words relayed by Lu Xiang Yang. Initially, he thought Chi Shen was just trying to show off or was unaware of the mansion's dreadful nature. But now, seeing Chi Shen's composed demeanor, neat appearance, and even seemingly mindful outfit choice, he seemed to walk casually in this ominous mansion, as if he were right at home.
Apart from looking somewhat fatigued, everything else about him seemed normal, fitting Lu Xiangyang's description of him appearing content.
Bai Ran's expression grew increasingly grim, yet he still strained to smile. This smile was torturous, reminiscent of a soul in turmoil.
"It's been good. I've made quite a few friends," Chi Shen replied absently. He didn't glance at Bai Ran. Within a few exchanges, he had already approached the entrance of the annex. The two shadowy figures hovering above the ancestral tablets turned their gaze towards him, causing Chi Shen to furrow his brows.
Bai Ran discreetly sought Bai Hengqing's reaction. Noticing Bai Hengqing's indifferent attitude towards Chi Shen's wanderings and the admiration in his eyes, he grew anxious. Seeing Chi Shen heading towards the annex's altar, he hurriedly inquired, "Why doesn't that old zombie bite you? What did you do in the old house?"
"Maybe it's because I'm quite polite," Chi Shen casually replied, turning his attention to the interior of the annex.
Bai Ran was left speechless.
Could that really be the reason?
If he were to compliment a ghost, would he be spared from its wrath?
Bai Hengqing, however, burst out laughing, "Young man, you're quite interesting. I'm your second granduncle. I'd like to know how you managed to survive in this haunted house. Speak clearly today. If you don't, and if anything happens in the Bai household, you'll bear responsibility."
Chi Shen, however, disregarded Bai Hengqing. He paused, his gaze settling on a red bridal veil gently swaying with the breeze, covered with a layer of fallen dry leaves.
Concerned, Bai Ran stepped in front of Chi Shen, blocking his view of the altar. "Brother, you're not familiar with the Bai family's current affairs. You mistakenly made a call that gave that ghost an opportunity. My second granduncle and I were gravely injured trying to suppress it. You mustn't touch anything on this altar."
Bai Hengqing chuckled, "With your help, if Chi Shen were to return to the Bai family..."
Bai Hengqing's sentence remained unfinished.
With a gentle motion, Chi Shen brushed Bai Ran aside. Immediately, his hand rested on the blood-streaked tablecloth. The next instant, to the horror of the two onlookers, he upturned the altar displaying the tablets of Bai Chongshan and Shen Huiling.
Amidst the crashing sounds, Chi Shen looked at the shocked pair and inquired, "Did you do this?"
"What have you done!" Bai Hengqing's benevolent smile vanished, replaced by anger. He dashed forward to retrieve the tablets.
Bai Ran was momentarily stunned. He hadn't anticipated Chi Shen's immense strength. It seemed as if he'd barely been touched and yet was thrown aside with such force.
No, he hadn't felt Chi Shen's touch at all. It was as if he had been propelled away on his own accord.
"I'll ask once more," Chi Shen stood at the entrance of the annex, the swaying red veil behind him illuminated by a row of red candles. His voice and gaze were both calm, yet they sent chills down one's spine. "Who imprisoned my sister here?"
Bai Hengqing paid him no mind. With trembling hands, he cradled the two tablets, trying to squeeze out a few more drops of his own blood onto them. He muttered a plea, "Forgive this offense, ancestors. It wasn't deliberate. We beg for your mercy and continued suppression of the Bai family's sinner, Bai Wan. Forgive us, ancestors..."
Bai Ran, sprawled on the ground, sharply latched onto the key point, murmuring, "Sister? Who's the sister?"
Chi Shen had already entered the side courtyard, bending down to pick up the red bridal veil from the ground.
Ghostly red candles illuminated a path within the courtyard. Charms fluttered down as a delicate and youthful-looking girl pushed open the door. She wore a golden phoenix crown and a gold-embroidered wedding dress, which was stained with copious amounts of blood. The eerie glow of the candles held no warmth, only an unsettling coldness.
Standing amidst the red candles, Chi Shen offered the girl a gentle smile.
The girl approached gracefully, her expression hinting at a touch of grievance. Chi Shen shook out the red veil, draping it over the girl's phoenix crown.
Bai Ran watched, utterly stunned. He couldn't comprehend what was unfolding before him, unsure of what to say or how to react. He even forgot to rise from the ground.
"Forgive us, honored ancestors, we meant no disrespect..." Bai Hengqing continued his chant. Only after squeezing a few more drops of blood onto the ancestral tablets did he cautiously lift his gaze to the faint, yet still present, spectral figures in midair, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
"Thankfully, they're intact," Bai Hengqing said, holding the tablets and gently wiping off the dust with his sleeve. He then loudly berated Chi Shen, "Do you realize what you've done? Are you aware of the terrifying power of the ghost in this old mansion? Luckily, these tablets are undamaged. Had they been broken, you would have met your end today—"
"Uncle," Bai Ran interrupted, glancing at Bai Hengqing's reaction and forcing down his own mounting dread. "Look inside."
Just as Bai Hengqing lifted his head, Chi Shen's gaze met his. Seeing Chi Shen standing alongside Bai Wan, Bai Hengqing froze in place.
"Do you know why the tablets didn't shatter?" Chi Shen, guiding Bai Wan as if he were a brother leading his sister to her wedding, smiled at the pair and their ancestral tablets, "Because I wanted them to stay."
The red candles paved a path right up to Bai Hengqing.
The chilling luminescence of the candles felt like it would freeze Bai Hengqing's very blood. He wanted to flee, but suddenly, more red candles lit up behind him, blocking his escape.
He felt his body grow cold and stiff amidst the candlelight, about to transform into an icy statue, with only the warmth of the tablets he clutched offering any solace.
"Someone is seeking them."
Chi Shen gently released Bai Wan's hand.
"There's a debt from the past, and they need to repay it."
*
Author's note:
There's a double release today!
